PAGS FOUR.
ASTORIA, OREGON, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4.
CDc morning flstorian
ESTABLISHED 1873
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When Sir "William Ramsey was in this city two
or three weeks ago he referred to the possibility that
he was on the verge of an important chemical dis
covery, says the New York Tribune. Evidence had
been obtained which suggested, though it did not yet
prove, that one element might be made from an
other with the assistance of concentrated energy,
like that emitted by radium. At that time The Tri
bune mentioned that an inkling of the facts was
afforded by a letter which Sir "William had written
to "Nature." Further information is now afforded
by belated reports of the recent meeting of the
British Association for the Advancement of Science.
The kind of change of one material into another
which formed the subject of Sir "William's experi
ments is not identical with that revealed in his
earlier discovery the evolution of helium. This
is regarded as a product of disintegration. The
newer researches were meant to find out whether a
transformation could be effected by the opposite
process building np. "What Sir "William now de
cribes is the formation of a deposit on the walls
' of several glass vessels which had long been exposed
to the influence of a solution of radium. One of the
substances which he thinks were developed there re-
sembles lead, apparently came from the glass or
the air, and is attributed to the action of the so-
called "beta" rays, thrown off by the radium
The experiments were interrupted in such a man
ner that no final conclusions could be drawn, but
their director wisely made a preliminary announce
ment of the result. By thus putting himself on rec
ord, he secures whatever credit is justly due him
for pioneer work, but in the meantime he states the
ease with commendable caution. It will be neces
sary for him or others to carry the research much
further. It will then be known whether any new
matter was created at att, and the nature of his
product or products can be determined with pre
cision. If elements hitherto unknown have thus
been v generated, their properties should be ascer
tained. If an old one lead, for instance was pro
duced by a method hitherto unpractised, the fact
should be fully demonstrated. Years may elapse
before these results can be attained, but it is greatly
to be hoped that Sir William's perseverance will
match his insight and past activity.
If his suspicions should be verified, a good many
people will be eager to learn whether the discovery
possesses any commercial value. The distinguished
chemist himself is reticent on that point, doubtless
feeling that any expression of opinion at present
would be premature. Without a scientific train
ing, however, it is easy to see that at least two
questions must be fettled before such an inquiry
can be answered. One relates to the utility of the
product, and the other to the cost of obtaining it.
Many of the elements already known have failed
thus far to render any service to humanity. Ilence,
there is no telling in advance what to expect from
future additions to their number. Again, if the
"beta" rays required for the conversion could be
obtained only from such an expensive substance
as radium, it would ifever pay to use them indus
trially. The "cathode" rays of a vacuum tube are
believed to be identical in nature with the "b;ta"
rays of radium, but they are less powerful. The
fact that Sir William kept his glass under the in
fluence of a solution of radium for nearly a year
in order to secure what proved to be a microscopic
quantity of product is not encouraging to the theory
that any substitute could be found, but it is too
soon to judge.. Nevertheless, if the discovery did
nothing more than throw some light on some of na
ture's operations, it could not fail to add materially
to its author's reputation.
"point with pride" in the way of legislation for
American shipping during the fifty years of their
party's existence. It is not surprising, therefore,
that Republican newspapers are preserving, for the
most part, a discreet siloucce on what there may be
if anything, in the merchant marine issue.. Not
so tlie Parker "organs," however.
"The pretence, repeated for a hundred times by
President Roosevelt," says the New York World,
"that the Republican party is the particular friend
of the American merchant marine, is one of the most
amazingly audacious things in American history."
And, after citing various shipping planks in Re.
publican national platforms during the past thirty
two years, it shows that, with the Republican party
in absolute control of the government from 1SG0 to
1S72, with the presidency in its hands for twenty
four years since then, the senate for twenty-eight
years and all branches of the government together
(including the house) for sixteen years, American
ships are now carrying only about 9 per cent, of
our own imports and exports!
This is a sorry showing, indeed ! It must be said
in fairness to the party of protection, however, that
some of its leaders have persistently triedto "do
something" for our shipping in the way of pro
tection, through most of the forty-four years since
1SC0. But they have always failed ami always
either through open hostility to their measures in
their own party, through lukewarmncss in the same
quarter, or through treachery at the critical mo
ment. Republican effort has not been lacking in
behalf of the merchant marine.
With both party nominees now committed to an
upbuilding policy for American shipping and with
both parties professing friendship for the cause,
what excuse will theer be for letting the coining
session of congress pass without the enactment of
some helpful legislation to that end!
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"The Store That Does Things."
P. A. STOKES
MEN'S OUTFITTERS
OVERCOATS
We have 'em from the
short top coat to the pop
ular belted back, double
breasted fifty-two inch
lengths. Made from neat,
catchy patterns, such as will
appeal to all good dressers,
price is a secondary
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v matter,
o
$7.50
TO
$30.00
ESHIfl
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1 k
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HrtSffncr I Xj
(J Mir
Hind Tutored H i '
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Men's Suits i
o
This is the department o
we take especial pride in q
calling
Hero
that is
in the
We are showing some hand-
some suitings in browns and 3
grayn, both inthe homespun
and worsted effects. To 0
IS!
buy a suit hero is to be S
fashionably dressed.
One Price to All
your attention to. 0
we have everything q
Ml
worth mentioning 8
''Sartorial" world.
$IO.OO to
$30,00
NO ISSUE ON MERCHANT MARINE.
Among our republican contemporaries we note a
very general editorial reticence on the subject of the
American merchant marine as referred to by Judge
Parker in his letter of acceptance, says the New
York Commercial lie said that "the record of the
democratic party gives assurance that the task (of
restoring our merchant marine) can be more wisely
intrusted to it" than to the Republicans. There is
really little in the latter 's record to which they can
DARWIN'S THEORY COMBATTED.
The maxim of "live and learn" might be well re
inforced by "live and unlearn," if one woul
get a clear idea of the progress of the human mind
in the field of theories drawn from physical re
search, says the Examiner. Darwin spent his life
investigating material things, and then conceived
his scheme of evolution.
No man within the century so influenced the
thinking mind. His doctrine of evolution, as a re
suit of his own experience, semed so sound that it
for years was accepted as absolute and infallible
In the conflict between Darwinism and religion the
advocate of religion often became apologetic, ac
cepted the scientist's theories as established facts
and sought to make the eternal truth that God made
the world out of nothing and man in His own image
and likeness conform to the set rules of the great
English materialist. He was not content to wait the
result of other scientists working along the same
lines that Darwin followed, but demanding that
their experience prove his theories before accepting
them.
Now comes Count Hugo de Vries, professor of
botany in the University of Amsterdam. This scien
tist from the land of tulips draws his con
elusions from plants. He followed a line of work
similar to Darwin, and he advances a theory op
posed to the cardinal points of that of the English
man. The doctrine of heredity as advocated by Dar
win he finds to be unsound He combats Danvin's
theory of the origin of species.
Thus we have two great, minds in the same lino
of investigation arriving at diametrically opposite
results. So it runs in speculative thought. The fact
of yesterday is the absurdity of today.
The only thing we are certain of in speculative
philosophy is that we are certain of nothing.
All of which goes to show how foolish is a bigoted
certainty in the correctness of one's own theories
and the intolerance of the theory of the other man.
POULTRY AND PORK.
A poultry-breeder says a farmer will feed a
bushel of corn to produce six pounds of pork worth
25 cents, while this bushel would keep a hen a year.
She would lay at least 12 dozen eggs, which, averag
ing 10 cents a dozen, would equal $1.20, and she
would rear a brood of chickens worth twice as much
more, making a total of nearly $5.00. Experiments
made at the Utah agricultural experiment station
seem to prove the correctness of the statement made
in the paragraph quoted above. Another paper says :
"Forty dozen eggs will bring more money than a
load of hay, which requires a great deal of labor to
produce and a good-sized patch of ground to grow,
besides a lot of sweat. Study the egg question.
Secretary "Wilson is not worrying himself just now
about the boll weevil, as he is giving all his at
tention to the democratic poll weevil.
A number of politicians regard the assurances that
a candidate will do his best to abolish graft not as
a promise but as a thrat.
The welcome season is not very far distant when
the drinking water will have to be thawed instead
of boiled.
P. A. STOKES
MThe Store That Does Things."
MEN'S OUTFITTERS!
0000OSO00000000000000 0Ok00.0.000?00
A .0. U. W. Funeral Notict.
Members of Seaside Lodge No. 12
are hereby notified to assemble at the
residence of our late brother, Timothy
Jo Kelly, at 779 Franklin avenue, to
attend the Funerul of the deceased.
The funeral service will take pluce tit
9 a. ro. at the noune, and at 10 o'clock
at St. Mary'e Church.
By order of C. E. FOSTKR
Master Workman
Seeking a Wife.
The Star tells all about It this week.
It will make you laugh.
Broke Into His House.
S. Le Qulnn of Cavendish, Vt, was
robbed of his customary health by In
vasion of chronic constipation. When
Dr. King's New Life rills broke Into
his house, his trouble was arrested and
now he's entirely cured. They're guar
anteed to cure, 25c at Chaa. Rogers'
drug store.
Personal.
Wife wanted by a young Frenchman.
Apply at the Star, this week.
Confessions of a Priest
Rev. Jno. S. .Cox of Wake, Ark.,
writes, "For 12 years I suffered from
yellow jaundice. I consulted a num
ber of physicians and tried all sorts of
medicines, but got no relief. Then I
began the use of Electric Bitter and
feel that I am now cured of a disease
that had me In Us grasp for 12 years."
If you want a reliable medicine for liver
and kidney trouble, stomach disorder
or general debility, get Electric Bit
ters. It's guaranteed by Chas. Rogers.
Only 60c.
AN A5T0RIA PRODUCT
Pale Bohemian Beer
Best In The Northwest
North Pacific Brewing Co.
H HiHHimnrmniiinniiHTma
Staple and Fancy Groceries
FLOUR, FEED, PROVISIONS, TOBACCO AND CIGARS.
Supplies of All Kindt at Loett Prloea for Fishermen, Farmers
and Logg.re.
BranchUnionlown, Phones, 711, , Uniontowo, 713
A. V. ALLEN,
Tenth and Commercial 8treets. ASTORIA, OREGON.
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JfLUMJSlNUandTIMININU 2
8TEAM HEATING, GA8 FITTING, ROOFING AND REPAIRING
BATH TUB 8, SINKS, CL08ET8 AND OTHER FIXTURE8 IN
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425 Bond Street
Phone 1031
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J. A. Montgomery
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To Earn More, Learn More
Young Men! Why waste the
winter months paying $4 or $5
per week for your board and
edging, while you are earning
ittle or nothing? Why not at
tend the Pacific Lutheran Acad
edy where you can get gooA
schooling, board and lodging for
ess money than your board,
odgingand incidental expenses
will cost you here? If you are
interested in finding out how this
can be done write for the school
catalogue.
DEPARTMENT B,
PACIFIC LUTHERAN ACADEMY.
Parkland, Wash.
Now is the time to lay in a winter's
supply of
COA
The most convenient and econ
omical fuel you can burn We sell
the best coal for all purposes.
Free Delivery. Phone orders to No. 1961.
5. ELMORE CO.